Asparagus Spears Simmered In Cream Recipes

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP (CRèME D'ASPERGES)

Steps:

• Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish.
• Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth, transferring to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in crème fraîche, then add more broth to thin soup to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a boil and whisk in remaining tablespoon butter.
• Add lemon juice and garnish with asparagus tips.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PARMESAN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place asparagus on the baking sheet and season with salt and black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and lightly toss to coat evenly.
• Roast in the preheated oven until asparagus is tender-crisp, about 10 minutes for thin asparagus, or 14 minutes for large asparagus.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until softened, taking care not to burn garlic. Sprinkle flour onto butter and cook, whisking constantly until mixture is golden and thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a light boil until sauce starts to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and continue whisking until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat - sauce will further thicken.
• Place asparagus on a serving platter and drizzle with cheese sauce. Garnish with lemon zest and serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS SPEARS SIMMERED IN CREAM

Steps:

• Boil the asparagus spears until barely tender.
• Mince the shallots (or scallions), and the parsley.
• Leave the asparagus spears whole, or cut them into 3/4" lengths, depending on your menu.
• Choose a frying pan that will hold the asparagus easily.
• Cook the shallots or scallions in butter for 2 minutes without browning.
• Add the asparagus, salt and pepper lightly, and toss (or turn) in the butter and seasoning.
• Add the cream and simmer slowly, basting the asparagus frequently, until the cream has reduced and thickened-- about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Taste carefully for seasoning, adding drops of lemon juice if and as you think they are necessary.
• (If done in advance, simmer only a few minutes with the cream and finish just before serving).
• Fold the minced parsley into the sauce, baste the asparagus to enrobe it, and turn out onto a hot platter.
• Enjoy!

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme in 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed and chopped), 1 1/2 cups each water and chicken broth and a big pinch of salt. Simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Return to the pot, whisk in 1/2 cup crème fraiche and warm through (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper. Top with more creme fraiche and chopped chives.

CREAMED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Rinse asparagus under cool water to remove any grit. Snap off the bottom inch or so using your fingers; the stems will naturally break where the tough woody part ends and the tender stem begins. Remove the ends. Dry the spears by rolling them between two kitchen towels. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, beef broth, and garlic powder. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes more. Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese, yogurt, nutmeg, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and creamy, about 3 minutes.

SAUTéED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the woody ends from the base of the asparagus spears by cutting off the bottom 2 inches or by snapping it off with your hands.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the asparagus in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly golden and almost tender, 8 to 10 minutes. (Cut a small piece from the end of one asparagus to see if it's near tender.)
• Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter, garlic, salt and pepper and stir to coat the asparagus. Cook until the garlic is softened and fragrant, 1 to 2 more minutes. Immediately transfer to a serving plate.
• Just before serving, squeeze the juice from the lemon half over the asparagus and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

JULIA CHILD'S ASPARAGUS SIMMERED IN ONIONS, GARLIC, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Before peeling asparagus, start on the marinade. In a heavy saucepan, cook onions slowly in the olive oil with garlic, zest, herbs, and bay leaf. When tender (about 10 minutes), add peppercorns, wine, lemon juice, water, and salt. Cover and simmer slowly for about 20 minutes.
• Peel asparagus. Lay in a flameproof casserole dish and pour marinade over so asparagus is just covered with liquid (more water may be added if needed). Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer slowly for 20 minutes, or until asparagus is tender. Take out asparagus and arrange on serving platter. Boil down the cooking liquid until lightly syrupy and spoon over the asparagus. Sprinkle with parsley.

ASPARAGUS WITH CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, bring water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. meanwhile, in a small skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, garlic powder, lemon-pepper and salt until blended. Gradually stir in broth. Add the parsley, vinegar and dill., Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low; whisk in sour cream. Drain asparagus; arrange on a serving platter. Top with cream sauce.